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As health care and medical technology have grown in complexity, so
too have decisions regarding their use. This is especially true in
regard to procedures that prolong life. Everyone has their own choice of
prolonging their life through advanced technology and others choose not
to. This decision often comes at a time when the individual concerned is
not able to express his or her wishes.
Iowa law provides two types of advance directives: The Declaration
Relating to Use of Life-Sustaining Procedures, known as a Living Will,
and the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.
Living Will
A living will is a written statement that lets medical personnel know
what kind of life-prolonging medical care you want to receive if you
become ill with no hope of recovery, are permanently unconscious, or in
a vegetative state and unable to make your own decisions. In a Living
Will you may specify that certain life-sustaining procedures be withheld
or withdrawn if you are in a terminal condition and unable to decide for
yourself. However, medication or medical procedures that provide comfort
or ease pain are not considered life-sustaining and are not withheld
under a Living Will. A living will should be signed, dated, and
witnessed by two people, preferably people who know you well over the
age of 18 but are not related to you or your potential heirs or your
healthcare providers.
In Iowa, your living will can be signed in front of two witnesses or by
a notary public. There are notary publics available here at Crawford
County Memorial Hospital and at your local bank.
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
A Durable Power of Attorney is a written directive which names someone
else to make your healthcare decisions if you become unable to make
them. This can also include instructions about specific possible choices
to be made. In creating a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, you
will choose a person to make health care decisions for you in case you
are unable to do so, in accordance with your wishes. The person named
should be someone you trust and who is willing to act in this capacity.
It is also important to discuss your wishes with this person. In Iowa,
your DPOA can be signed in front of two witnesses or by a notary public.
You can download these legal documents from the Iowa State Bar
Association.
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